Our prediction for this Ligue 1 match:
Strasbourg will be looking to make amends for a massive 4-0 loss to PSG when they host Nimes at their Stade de la Meinau on Matchday 18. Unlike previous seasons, Le Racing have been struggling at home ground in the 2020/21 Ligue 1 campaign, with the team recording no more than one victory on home soil to date. Strasbourg are desperate to put an end to their six-game winless run at Stade de la Meinau, and we are positive that they will fight tooth and nail against Nimes.
Given the number of absentees in the away team, home win should definitely be considered. The likes of Cubas, Benrahou, Deaux, Depres, Landre, Martinez, Meling, and Valerio are injured for the visitors, while Miguel is sidelined through suspension. In their last meeting at Strasbourg’s home ground, le Racing outplayed les Crocodiles 4-1, and the history is likely to repeat itself.
Highlighted Player (Kenny Lala):
Born on the 3rd of October, 1991, Kenny Lala is a professional footballer who plays for Strasbourg. Lala started his youth career with local amateur club ES Parisienne and spent four years developing with the club before being recruited by Paris FC in 2008.
Two years later, the French left-back signed his first professional contract with PFC and made his senior debut on the 14th of September, 2010, in a league game against Strasbourg Alsace. The following season, Lala joined Valenciennes and made his Ligue 1 one debut on the 6th of November, 2011, featuring in the club's 1-1 draw with Stade Rennais.
Following successful spells at the Athenians and then at RC Lens, the 28 years old signed for Strasbourg in 2017 on a contract that that is set to expire in 2021. On the International front, Lala has never represented France at any youth level and is yet to get called-up to its senior team.
Highlighted Team (Nimes):
Founded on April 10, 1937 Nimes Olympique are a French club that will compete in the Ligue 1 in the 2018/2019 season. Les crocodiles were playing an important role in French football in the last 50s, with the team finishing second on four occasions (1958, 1959, 1960, 1972).
Nimes made it to the French Cup final in 1958, 1961 and 1996, but they eventually failed to lift the trophy. Nimes are well known for their red home colours, but they wear white shirts and white shorts when playing on the travels. Stade de Costieres has been the home of Nimes since 1989, when it was opened.
The venue can hold up to 18,482 spectators and the construction cost €160 million. Speaking of the club’s notable footballers, the likes of Wilson Oruma, Mehmed Bazdarevic, Aliou Cisse, Benjamin Moukandjo, Laurent Blanc, Frederic Piquionne and Eric Cantona were all part of les crocodiles in the past. Montpellier are considered their biggest rivals.